Government Must Reduce Petrol Prices and Provide Relief to the Public Otherwise Nationwide Shutdown and Wheel-Jam Strike Will Be Launched After Eid: Liaqat Baloch, Ziauddin Ansari and Other Leaders
Lahore: On the appeal of Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, a massive protest demonstration was held on Mall Road Lahore, along with nationwide protests, against the recent alarming increase in inflation, petroleum products, and electricity prices.The protest was led by Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Ziauddin Ansari, while Deputy Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Liaqat Baloch participated as a special guest and addressed the gathering. Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Azhar Bilal, deputy amirs, deputy secretaries, President JI Youth Lahore, district amirs, party workers, youth activists, and a large number of citizens also participated in the protest.The protesters carried placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the government’s anti-people economic policies. Participants demanded the immediate abolition of unjust petroleum levy taxes, effective measures to control inflation, and urgent relief for the public.Addressing the gathering, the speakers said that the current rulers, under IMF conditions, are continuously burdening the people with inflation and excessive taxation. They termed the recent increase in petrol and electricity prices as the height of injustice while accusing the ruling elite of enjoying luxuries and privileges at the expense of the masses.The leaders further stated that billions of rupees belonging to the public are being transferred to mafias through unfair agreements with IPPs. They demanded an immediate review of all such agreements and insisted that future agreements must be made strictly in the public interest.The speakers also criticized the so-called relief measures in electricity bills, calling the introduction of the “QR Code” scheme after imposing heavy taxes a cruel joke on the public.The Jamaat-e-Islami leadership warned the government that if immediate relief is not provided by reducing petrol and electricity prices, a nationwide protest movement, shutter-down strike, and wheel-jam strike will be launched after Eid, the final announcement of which will be made by Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman.The leaders reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its struggle at every level for the protection of public rights and, if necessary, will not hesitate to stage intensified protests, including the siege of the Chief Minister House and the Punjab Assembly.
